Ever since miniature painting was introduced via Persia into India in the sixteenth century, a strong narrative tradition has pervaded the country’s visual arts. The art of storytelling plays a crucial role in this land of myths and legends, of oral literary tradition, and of the Bollywood entertainment industry. Contemporary artists, many of them women, take it upon themselves to lend a voice to the socially disadvantaged or to the ethnic and religious minorities, telling their stories through the media of painting, photography, and video, as well as by installations and performance. Their works reflect the overwhelming economic, political, and social changes that have taken place in this country over the past three decades. This publication presents exciting, unique works that have the potential to deeply effect the viewer, and to pose important sociological questions. (German edition ISBN 3-7757-2016-8) Exhibition: Kunstmuseum Bern, September 21, 2007–January 6, 2008